In an effort to provide tax relief to New Jersey military members, a bill sponsored by three Assembly Democrats to exclude military pay for service in a combat zone from state income tax requirements was signed into law Monday, after previously passing the full Legislature by unanimous vote.
The law (formerly bill A-2481/S-2050/2090) also applies to soldiers injured in combat. A service member’s military pay would be exempt from income tax requirements during the period of time in which they are hospitalized for the injury.
Military pay is already exempt from federal income taxation during any month the member is serving in a combat zone or hospitalized for combat injuries. This law brings New Jersey’s taxation policy in line with existing federal policy.
Upon the bill becoming law, Assembly Democrat sponsors Annette Quijano (D-Union), Cleopatra Tucker (D-Essex) and Wayne DeAngelo (D-Mercer, Middlesex) issued the following joint statement:
“Every year, New Jersey residents are deployed to countries throughout the world to fight on behalf of America. Those military members serving in combat zones risk their lives in defense of our country. It is only right we honor their courage and sacrifice by exempting the pay they earn during that time period as well as any time spent in a hospital for injuries sustained in combat from state income taxes. Here in New Jersey, we value the service of our military members and veterans.”